Returned and Services League branches across western Victoria will commemorate 100 years since the signing of the armistice to end the first world war this weekend. On Sunday, people will be able to gather at memorials and pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Great War, as well as those who have fought since. Stawell RSL will be hosting a service from 11am at the World War I memorial near Stawell library before heading back to the RSL afterwards. “We don’t have too many resources at our disposal anymore which makes things a bit tough in terms of doing something big for the centenary of armistice,” Stawell RSL president Geoff Reading said. “We will still have a service with a guest speaker and a bugler.” The Stawell 303 Army Cadet Unit will also be present at the service. “It will be a special moment for them and they are well aware of the significance of the day,” cadet unit officer in command captain Aaron Croft said. Mr Croft said Sunday will mark the end of a special few years for the unit, having been very active in commemorating WWI’s centenary. “We have put in a big involvement towards everything to do with the 100 years since 2015,” he said. It will be an especially poignant day for Mt Croft, marching in his final parade as officer commanding the unit. A service will also run at St Arnaud on Sunday morning. At about 10.40am the St Arnaud Citizen Band will play at the war memorial then the St Arnaud Norman Simpson Pipe Band will also march to the memorial before the 11am service. “The two bands will combine and march back from the memorial to the liberty hall led by a flag party and light horsemen,” St Arnaud RSL president Robert Wooley said. “The significance of that is as we disappear into the distance we signify the end to the commemoration of 100 years of WWI.” A display of knitted poppies is also on show in St Arnaud, with an array of designs. Ararat will also commemorate on Sunday. A reunion of children of veterans is at the Soldiers Memorial Park at 10.30 which will be followed by the official wreath laying at 11am. The armistice commemoration is at 5pm.

Commemorating 100 years since end of WWI | Remembrance Day 2018

Returned and Services League branches across western Victoria will commemorate 100 years since the signing of the armistice to end the first world war this weekend.

On Sunday, people will be able to gather at memorials and pay tribute to those who gave their lives during the Great War, as well as those who have fought since.

Stawell RSL will be hosting a service from 11am at the World War I memorial near Stawell library before heading back to the RSL afterwards.

“We don’t have too many resources at our disposal anymore which makes things a bit tough in terms of doing something big for the centenary of armistice,” Stawell RSL president Geoff Reading said.

“We will still have a service with a guest speaker and a bugler.”

The Stawell 303 Army Cadet Unit will also be present at the service.

“It will be a special moment for them and they are well aware of the significance of the day,” cadet unit officer in command captain Aaron Croft said.

Mr Croft said Sunday will mark the end of a special few years for the unit, having been very active in commemorating WWI’s centenary.

“We have put in a big involvement towards everything to do with the 100 years since 2015,” he said.

It will be an especially poignant day for Mt Croft, marching in his final parade as officer commanding the unit.

A service will also run at St Arnaud on Sunday morning.

At about 10.40am the St Arnaud Citizen Band will play at the war memorial then the St Arnaud Norman Simpson Pipe Band will also march to the memorial before the 11am service.

“The two bands will combine and march back from the memorial to the liberty hall led by a flag party and light horsemen,” St Arnaud RSL president Robert Wooley said.

“The significance of that is as we disappear into the distance we signify the end to the commemoration of 100 years of WWI.”

A display of knitted poppies is also on show in St Arnaud, with an array of designs.

Ararat will also commemorate on Sunday. A reunion of children of veterans is at the Soldiers Memorial Park at 10.30 which will be followed by the official wreath laying at 11am. The armistice commemoration is at 5pm.